Blogging, Social Media, and Platform Stewardship

I’ve reflected recently on what it looks like to steward a blog and social media platform for the glory of God. As a Christian blogger, I know my platform needs to be more than just about page views and retweets – and if that is it’s ultimate purpose, I might as well stop.

Stewardship is an easy concept: Everything belongs to God and is for God. We are to use what He entrusts to us wisely and for His glory.

This easy concept becomes more complex when you factor in our imperfections and selfish hearts that want to twist God’s good gifts and make them all about us.

How, then, can we glorify God in stewarding blogs and social media? My heart has recently been both stirred and shaped in meditating on the following truths and finding God’s purpose for my blog and social media accounts.

I don’t want to waste people’s time. If life is a vapor, then I could potentially be wasting people’s short lives and distracting them by what I post online. To paraphrase (and adapt) the Preacher in Ecclesiastes, “of making many blogs there is no end.” Is what I write or tweet worth readers’ time?

I don’t want to waste my own time. Writing is hard work. It’s hard work I usually love to do, but time that could be spent on other things. There are more important things in life than writing and blogging – therefore, I need to keep good priorities and not flitter (or Twitter) away my time in the online world.

I strive for excellence. Does presenting to God something other than our best work maximize God’s glory? In God’s economy, it might sometimes (in our weakness, He is strong). But I think that excellence in writing, blogging, and social media glorify Him the most. I strive to always grow as both a writer and blogger and to communicate clearly for the sake of readers. This is a small way I can love others and adorn the gospel, which is the most excellent thing imaginable.

As a blogger, I realize I may face stricter judgment. Christian teachers will face greater judgment (James 3:1). Since many learn on blogs; Christian bloggers will likely face stricter judgment as well. This, and because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16), is why I seek to waste no one’s time or be careless in what I write. I don’t have the attitude of tabloid journalists, pursuing controversy for more page views or viral posts. What I write needs to be first true; then profitable for readers; and hopefully as enjoyable as possible for readers.

Blog and social media stewardship involves gift stewardship. God has given His children gifts for the sake of each other for His glory (1 Peter 4:10-11). While there is obviously no biblical mention of a spiritual gift of blogging or social media, I know that I can serve the church with my gifts through those channels – and that is my ultimate goal. This also means that I seek to fan into flame the gifts God has given me for maximum future impact (see 2 Timothy 1:6).

Maximum impact for the Kingdom will come by sharing the work of others. I point to helpful articles, books, resources, and great ministries because there are many people producing valuable content, and I realize that God will be glorified more if I connect people to their work. I also realize that, most of the time, what I link to is a more worthwhile read than what I write!

I blog Christ. Just like Paul claimed to know nothing among the Corinthians but Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2), I seek to proclaim Christ, “warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). I want my public online activity through blogs and tweets to show sinners their need for a Savior and deepen both affections and appreciation for Christ to the praise of His glory.

I admit I’m a work in progress at this whole social media/blogging stewardship thing. But I am grateful for the Lord teaching me these valuable lessons and for the future lessons he will teach me relating to stewardship.